The Labor enquirer., 1887-12-17
ing the legions of infamy to which
we are subjected at present.

w oiS SuOJCSeCu dt present.
First, let US look over the
ground, the field of battle, so to
speak. Before anything like per-
maneM relief for the masses is to
be had, we have to overcome the
prejudices instilled in human
minds by the misleading of GEN.
turies. These prejudices are in
many instances honestly main
tanned. but in most cases viciously,
ana in either will l.be defended to
the last. We need expect no
quarter; the defenders will spill
our blood and their own freely be-
fore surrender. that is if we give
them opportunity; even if we do
not give them opportunity or oc-
casion for this course of action,
they will seek opportunity or seek
to make it, as we know; they are
essentially towards, mean ones at
that, but they will fight with all
the courage of towards. and hav-
ing in possession every known
engine OF war to which we can
only oppose our naked hands, it
is clear that the result can but be
against US; prOvided we use mate
rial weapons. 1t is true we could
infict damages upon them that it
would take generations to replace,
we could even destroy the ma
tionAbut to what end2 All his
torical revolutions have only
proved of temporary benefit to
the race. The abolishment of one
form of tyranny is only the signal
for another, mild at first, but grow
ing in cruelty, until to-day ! will
defy the meanest casuist that ever
wrote to compare favorably the
barbarism of civilization with the
barbarism Of the darkest ages of
the world, as We know it to-day.
We are now in the throes of new
revolution and it rests wholly with
the party in power to say whether
it shall or shall not be bloodless.
They have indicated their desire
for blood, and as yet we have not
accepted their gage of battle. !
very much doubt whether we shall
be allowed to settle the thing
peacefully. 1t is our duty to try,
however, and, hoping for the best,
prepare for the worst.
The prejudices against us in the
minds of perhaps majority of the
people is not the only obstacle in
our way; we have to encounter
the religious sentiments of many
thousands of those who fill our
own ranks; we have to convert the
Roman Catholic church to our
way of thinking or overthrow it;
to-day it is lion in our path. Is
this possible3 To overthrow it,
no; to convert it. yes. 1t is in no
sense desirable to our ends to
abolish it. if we can hold itneutral
a great advantage will be obtained.
Can we7 | think, yes, and posi-
bly, we may have it for an ally.
We have also to absolutely
change the whole monetary sys-
tenn of the world by demonetizing
gold and silver and by the abolish
ment of all semblances of money
now known under the general
name of capital.
AS if these were not enough, we
have to abolish the class of people
known as the middle class. Of
course ! don't mean any harm to
these people. ! mean to abolish
their rank; they belong naturally
to US. At present, fed with the
hope of attaining the higher class,
their voice and action are all
against US; yet we feed, clothe
and shelter them; they toll not,
neither spin, yet have nothing for
their benefactors but curses-not
loud but deep. We can and must
abolish that class.
Now let me sum up the task of
labor looking to a peaceful solu-
of its present difficulties: